Now Martijn Kajuiter (38) has cooked up a storm by becoming the only chef in Europe to receive a top Rising chef award for his work.

The Michelin starred chef of The Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co Waterford, said it was a great honour to be acknowledged for his work after he was awarded the Rising chef 2013 trophy from Relais & Chateaux.

While he was awarded the trophy, Martijn (pictured at head of table), who has 20 years experience as a chef, also praised the work of his team of Irish chefs (pictured above).

But he said it would be business as usual when he returns to Ireland this weekend.

"You are only as good as your last dish and we need to move forward in the business," he said.

The award-winning chef is also enjoying life as an author, after his cookbook, 'Let's Go Disco' was greeted with praise from the food industry.

"I have about 1,700 cookbooks but I wanted one of my own that would present our recipes as they are. This book also tells the story of my day in the kitchen and has 36 recipes of the food in The Cliff House," he said.